Old friends rallying support for Hackers

Donnie Bryan knew Angela Hacker before she became a well-known figure.

Hacker and her younger brother, Zac, are two of four finalists in the annual "Nashville Star" television competition. They are trying to win a recording contract in addition to being selected as the next rising star of country music.

They will try to take the next step in the process tonight when the show airs live on USA network.

"Oh yes, we'll be watching," said Bryan, who is a drama teacher in Florence. "It's like the Super Bowl at our house every Thursday night. We have our laptops, computers, cell phones and regular phones ready to start voting as soon as the show is over. Then we spend the next two hours voting as much as we can."

Bryan said he met Angela Hacker about 10 years ago when she was a student in his theater class at Russellville High School. She graduated from Russellville in 1997. He said there was no question at the time that she possessed a special talent.

"I'd like to take credit for what she has done, but all I did was provide her with an opportunity to showcase her God-given talent," Bryan said. "A lot of people don't know this because all they see is her singing ability, but she is also a gifted actress. She has phenomenal acting ability."

"I see another Reba (McEntire) in Angela. I can see her being big in country music, on Broadway. She will make it big."

Bryan has done his part to drum up support for the Hackers, particularly Angela. He joking says Angela doesn't have to worry about votes because he's taken care of that.

He has sent e-mails to his numerous contacts in theater to "get all the thespians in the nation to come to her rescue."

"I just told them to give the show a look, even if they're not country music fans, and vote for her," Bryan said. "I've heard back from many. Some say they remember her from when she was in high school.

"I've told all our drama parents in Florence to do the same. These are two young people from the Shoals, and we need to rally around them and see them through to the end."

In addition to the performances of Zac and Angela Hacker, the Shoals will play a big role in tonight's show.

The USA Network crew was in the area Saturday to film the Hackers' performances at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia. Several local residents are expected to be part of the segment.

Peggy Singleton, a Killen resident, attended last week's "Nashville Star" show at the Acuff Theatre and said both Hackers were great.

"We had a sign: 'FloTown Loves the Hackers,' " Singleton said. "We gave it to their mom and she put it up on their front porch.

"It's wonderful that people are getting behind them and supporting them. They are both very, very talented and representing the area well. I'd love to see them have a dual winner and brother and sister both win."

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.